Comments on: Why software is like a ball-point pen http://conflictedbrain.com/2010/02/19/why-software-is-like-a-ball-point-pen/ The incurable curse of an online product champion Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:58:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: mpkaplan http://conflictedbrain.com/2010/02/19/why-software-is-like-a-ball-point-pen/#comment-18 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:35:42 +0000 http://mpkaplan.wordpress.com/?p=42#comment-18 Hi Rob,

Thanks for the comments and great point. I’ve found it really interesting to see how customers end up using what you originally designed. It could be for a totally different, and albeit better, purpose.

Thanks,
Matt

]]> By: Rob Mitchell http://conflictedbrain.com/2010/02/19/why-software-is-like-a-ball-point-pen/#comment-17 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:03:41 +0000 http://mpkaplan.wordpress.com/?p=42#comment-17 Hi – for many years now (24+ in the software industry) I have felt that part of a software solutions measure is not only dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s to meet requirements but how “else” it could be used in a business scenario. Its a bit like your “pen” story … give the software solution to 10 different people and they’ll do their job but they may use the solution for “something else.” I find this “something else” extremely interesting to the true measure of understanding a customer, their focus, and their goals. I’ve been pretty lucky in most projects that I’ve worked on to get into the customer’s head and also walk-a-mile in their shoes (how they think and how they feel). I enjoyed reading your blog, Matt. Keep up the good work.

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